Guardians of the Galaxywas considered a risky proposition for Marvel Studios, even after the runaway success of their cinematic universe building films likeIron ManandThe Avengers. These characters hang around in outer space! There are aliens on the team! There’s a talking raccoon! So it was nothing short of incredible whenGuardians of the Galaxyearned nearly $800 million and a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes. A big part of James Gunn’s action-comedy masterpiece depends upon the charisma of Chris Pratt, who leads the team as Peter Quill, the film’s relatable half-earthling who rocks badass tunes in his headphones while kicking ass as Star-Lord. But it almost didn’t happen that way. As there were plenty of other big names vying for the coveted role.
It may seem crazy to think about now, but at the time, Pratt was mostly known as lovable doofus and Mouse Rat frontman Andy Dwyer on NBC’sParks and Recreation. Marvel took quite a gamble on the actor, whose commitment to the role was so full-on, he even got into action hero shape. There were of course dozens of actors lining up for Guardians of the Galaxy. And here, we’re looking at what might have been, and almost was in terms of having acompletely different Star-Lordin the movie.
18Joel Edgerton
While most movie news sites were focused on the casting underway for the newly reinvigoratedStar Warsfranchise, prequel veteranJoel Edgerton, who co-starred with Chris Pratt inZero Dark Thirty, was on the shortlist for Star-Lord. His name was included in a Deadline report listing various actors thought to be screen testing.
17Jack Huston
Jack Hustonwas also on that list. The acclaimed actor is no stranger to wearing a mask, having risen to prominence by haunted World War I veteran turned organized crime sniper Richard Harrow onBoardwalk Empire. The English actor did land the lead role in another comic book film, a proposed reboot ofThe Crow. He left the long in development project in 2015, chalking it up to scheduling conflicts.
16Joseph Gordon-Levitt
The man who was sort of Robin inThe Dark Knight Risesis said to have auditioned and screen tested for Star-Lord. Several reports suggest thatAnt-Mancame down toJoseph Gordon-Levittand Paul Rudd, so we know he’s somebody Marvel continues to think about.
15Jim Sturgess
Cloud Atlasstar Jim Sturgess made it far enough to undergo a costume fitting. In an interview with MTV News, after it was all said and done, he spoken candidly about his brush with Star-Lord. “I got way further than I’d ever imagined I possibly could,” he said. “It’s set in a total fantasy landscape, which was intriguing to me,” he added.
14Eddie Redmayne
Eddie Redmayne went from starring opposite Michelle Williams inMy Week with Marilynto suddenly having his name thrown around for not one but two different Marvel comic book roles. His name appeared on the shortlist of actors said to be testing forGuardians of the Galaxy, as well as in casting reports about potential actors for supporting roles in Sony’s sequel to TheAmazing Spider-Man. In 2015, he told The Sun, “I am an absolute geek. I have auditioned for many of those roles.”
13Garrett Hedlund
Garrett Hedlund already had one major franchise under his belt with Disney after starring inTron: Legacy, the sequel to the ground breaking 1982 video game movie. He’s reportedly one of the many actors who met with Marvel about playing Star-Lord.
12Aaron Paul
From the blues ofTronto the blues of crystal meth!Breaking Badbadass Aaron Paul was one of the actors who auditioned and screen tested forGuardians of the Galaxy, according to Teen.com. It seems like he has to join the MCU eventually, right?
11Lee Pace
Lee Pacespent a lot of time in the makeup chair to play a Middle Earth monarch in The Hobbit films and as Kree meanie Ronan the Accuser in the firstGuardiansmovie. But he initially auditioned for the mostly makeup free role of Peter Quill. It’s not unlike theDark Nighttrilogy’s Cillian Murphy, who first auditioned to play Batman.
10Cam Gigandet
Two-time MTV Movie Award nominee Cam Gigandet was another guy in the running. He would’ve put thoseNever Back DownandTwilightfighting skills to use.
9Sullivan Stapleton
If he’d won the part of Star-Lord, Australian actor Sullivan Stapleton could have put it next to300: Rise of an Empireon his resume, making him a two-time comic movie actor.
